How to Grow Grass Indoors for Dogs

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Dogs consume grass for a variety of reasons, including a vitamin deficiency in their diet or as a way to cope with an illness. Whatever the case, it’s potentially dangerous for your dog to consume herbicide or insect-infested grass outdoors. Growing a patch of indoor grass is a wise alternative. Choose a grass seed labeled “pet friendly” and intended for use indoors, or a wheatgrass, barley or rye.

1

Cut a piece of mesh to fit the bottom of a 6- or 8-inch diameter plastic pot featuring drainage holes. The Humane Society recommends using a pot that's bottom heavy and your dog cannot easily tip over. Fill the container three-quarters with an all-purpose potting soil. Set the pot inside a larger plastic basin to prevent leaking.

2

Moisten the soil with water before sprinkling a single layer of barley, rye or another grass labeled “dog” or “pet” seeds. Cover the seeds with a 1-inch layer of the same quality potting soil.

3

Moisten the soil and cover the newly planted seeds with a layer of plastic wrap to help hold in moisture while protecting the growing grass from being prematurely consumed by a pet. Set the container in a sunny spot indoors away from your pets. Maintain evenly moist soil and continue to monitor the grass until it reaches a height of around 3 to 4 inches.

4

Remove the plastic and set the grass next to your dog’s bowl or any pet-friendly area. Monitor the grass and if necessary, clip it periodically to maintain a height or 3 to 4 inches.

5

Pull out or trim the grass shoots as they begin to wilt, which generally occurs three to four weeks after you remove the plastic wrap. Once the grass is completely consumed or removed, reseed the pot, if desired.

Things You Will Need

Mesh

6- or 8-inch diameter plastic pot with drainage holes

Plastic basin

All-purpose potting soil

Plastic wrap

Tip

Provide a constant supply of pet-friendly grass by planting a new crop every three to four weeks. As the older pots wither or are completely consumed, simply pull out a fresh container of grass.

About the Author

Residing in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Jaimie Zinski has been writing since 2009. Specializing in pop culture, film and television, her work appears on Star Reviews and various other websites. Zinski is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in history at the University of Wisconsin.